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Firefighter killed in wreck had 'a huge heart'

A flag is lowered to honor an Etowah-Horse Shoe volunteer firefighter, 18-year-old Neil Gilbert, who died early Friday morning. Flags will be lowered at all Henderson County fire departments to honor Gilbert.

Published: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.

Eighteen-year-old Neil Gilbert, an aspiring paramedic and volunteer firefighter with a "huge heart," died in an early morning wreck on U.S. Highway 64 Friday.

The single-car wreck occurred between Crab Creek Road and Vineyard Road in Transylvania County just before 4:30 a.m.

State Highway Patrol troopers say Gilbert was traveling east on Highway 64 when he ran off of the left side of the road and struck a tree just east of Brevard.

Gilbert's family and friends were grieving Friday after the sudden loss, remembering the young firefighter who was always ready to help someone in need.

"If you asked him to do anything, he'd do it for you. The fire department said he was the first one to show up (at calls). They said if they needed something, they knew Neil would be there," said his sister-in-law, Sabrina Gilbert. "He just had a huge heart."

A flag flew at half-staff Friday afternoon outside of Etowah-Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire and Rescue, where Neil Gilbert served as a volunteer firefighter. He joined the station as a junior firefighter at age 15. At 18, he was promoted to a senior volunteer officer.

Neil Gilbert was the youngest of three sons and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He attended Beulah Baptist and Bethel Baptist churches and worked for an electric company. He was a loving son, fun brother and doting uncle with an infectious laugh and smile.

"He would always try to make you smile," Sabrina Gilbert said.

But smiles were hard to come by Friday. The news of his passing hit his alma mater hard. He graduated from West Henderson High in June.

"It's just a shock," said Principal Dean Jones. "We're all trying to deal with the shock."

Counselors from West and other county schools came to the school to help students cope with the sudden loss.

"He was a good kid. He loved the fire department and loved working in that arena," Jones said. "He had a lot of friends."

<p>Eighteen-year-old Neil Gilbert, an aspiring paramedic and volunteer firefighter with a "huge heart," died in an early morning wreck on U.S. Highway 64 Friday.</p><p>The single-car wreck occurred between Crab Creek Road and Vineyard Road in Transylvania County just before 4:30 a.m.</p><p>State Highway Patrol troopers say Gilbert was traveling east on Highway 64 when he ran off of the left side of the road and struck a tree just east of Brevard.</p><p>Gilbert's family and friends were grieving Friday after the sudden loss, remembering the young firefighter who was always ready to help someone in need.</p><p>"If you asked him to do anything, he'd do it for you. The fire department said he was the first one to show up (at calls). They said if they needed something, they knew Neil would be there," said his sister-in-law, Sabrina Gilbert. "He just had a huge heart."</p><p>A flag flew at half-staff Friday afternoon outside of Etowah-Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire and Rescue, where Neil Gilbert served as a volunteer firefighter. He joined the station as a junior firefighter at age 15. At 18, he was promoted to a senior volunteer officer.</p><p>Neil Gilbert was the youngest of three sons and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He attended Beulah Baptist and Bethel Baptist churches and worked for an electric company. He was a loving son, fun brother and doting uncle with an infectious laugh and smile. </p><p>"He would always try to make you smile," Sabrina Gilbert said.</p><p>But smiles were hard to come by Friday. The news of his passing hit his alma mater hard. He graduated from West Henderson High in June. </p><p>"It's just a shock," said Principal Dean Jones. "We're all trying to deal with the shock."</p><p>Counselors from West and other county schools came to the school to help students cope with the sudden loss. </p><p>"He was a good kid. He loved the fire department and loved working in that arena," Jones said. "He had a lot of friends."</p><p>Reach Weaver at Emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>